The Progressive Teacher Vol 02 Issue 04

factors, and the students were
then advised as necessary.
During the scheduled health
assessment of the entire student
body, Simova’s team of trained
professionals were able to
actively evaluate the health and
well-being of each and every
student. In doing so, there were
quite a few alarming results.
Nearly a hundred students
exhibited untreated tooth decay
and dental caries, seventy
students exhibited enlarged
tonsils, which could have been
symptomatic of other ailments,
and a large number also had
hearing or sight problems that
were inadequately treated.
Other more serious problems
were also identified. Over
fifty complained of frequent
headaches and dizziness, and
a similar number exhibited
symptoms related to respiratory
problems like asthma. Three
students even exhibited
cardiovascular murmurs.
To take a few specific examples,
three different children can
be considered. One boy, Sahil
(names changed to preserve
confidentiality), had been
performing very poorly in
school, with frequent complaints
regarding inattention, rudeness,
and poor grades. During the
assessment, it was discovered
that Sahil had a large waxbuildup
in his ears that had gone
undetected. After it was removed,
his performance improved almost
immediately.
Another girl, Sara, had certain
symptoms that led the Simova
team to recommend further
investigation. When her
parents followed up on that
recommendation, they found
that Sara actually had juvenile
diabetes, which if left untreated
could have led to far more
serious health issues.
In the case of a third child, Ankit,
an issue regarding spine mobility
was detected and similarly
recommended for investigation.
In Ankit’s case, this revealed that
he had pulmonary tuberculosis.
Complete Health in itself
is a new phrase for many.
According to the World Health
Organisation –‘Health is a state
of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease
or infirmity.’
This detection was vital, not
only in helping Ankit secure
early treatment, but also to
allow precautions to be taken to
prevent further infection among
the student body.
Subsequent health assessments
allowed the tools from Simova’s
Online Health Portal to chart
each child’s overall growth and
development over time. Any
interruptions or problems could
be then identified and correlated
with exhibited symptoms.
Whether it was incorrect
nutrition or an insufficient
amount of exercise or any
other factor, measures
could be taken.
The Online Portal also
allowed both Simova
and the school to share
important educational
health-related material
with both the children in
the programme and their
parents. Access to educational
and informative videos and other
interactive media was provided,
allowing for wider community
outreach and involvement.
Primarily, the content was geared
to keep parents abreast of health
and technology developments,
while seeking to stimulate the
children’s minds and teaching
them to take charge of their own
well-being.
In India, preventive pediatric
care is largely neglected
unless there is a problem
whose symptoms have already
manifested. Thus, the potential
good from such a system is hard
to underestimate. Diagnosis of
serious ailments like juvenile
diabetes and asthma as early
as possible can help manage
and sometimes even reverse
symptoms. Identification of
learning disabilities like dyslexia
allows for adjustment at an early
stage, vastly improving academic
potential.
By instituting proper health
management programmes on
a large scale, it is possible to
transform each school into that
ideal of both educating our
children, as well as providing the
full range of support every child
needs to realise his full potential.
More importantly, by engaging
entire families, community
awareness can be spread
regarding health and health
management, improving the lives
of many.
Creating a secure Electronic
Health Record for every child
in India may seem like an
unrealistic goal, but it has to
start somewhere. School Health
Programmes which make the
best use of available technology
– sharing relevant information
electronically across phones
and emails, can create lifetime
benefits for every child enrolled.
Our country has many challenges,
but also has one of the greatest
resources in the known world –
that of an entire generation of
young Indians just waiting for
the chance to live up to their
potential. If programmes like
Simova’s can help even a fraction
of that generation fulfill that
potential, it is surely worth it.
(www.simovasciences.com)
Sep/Oct 2015
www.progressiveteacher.in 19